Pa. slots post first year-end revenue decline

Annual revenue from Pennsylvania slot machines has dipped for the first time since the state's first casino opened in 2006, reflecting increased competition from border states, state regulators said Friday.

Gross revenue from slot machine play at the state's 11 casinos was down 9.2 percent last month, marking the third straight monthly decline and showing further evidence of the effects of competition as gaming expands in neighboring states.

After six consecutive years of growth, gross revenue from Pennsylvania's slot machines declined 3.5 percent to less than $2.4 billion in calendar year 2013, according to figures released by the Gaming Control Board. The state, which taxes slots at about 55 percent, collected nearly $1.3 billion.

"There continues to be increased casino competition from all of Pennsylvania's bordering states and that certainly is affecting year-over-year revenue," said gaming board spokesman Doug Harbach.

Presque Isle Downs and Casino in Erie posted the biggest decline of Pennsylvania's 12 casinos, down more than 13 percent. Pittsburgh's Rivers Casino was the only facility to gain, up less than 1 percent.

For the month of December, revenue from the state's 26,591 slot machines decreased 8.7 percent to $178 million.

Table games, which were introduced in July 2010, are still showing strong growth. Revenue from table games increased in nine of the first 11 months of 2013. December and annual table-game revenues will be released later this month.